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Exchange Of A Drain Tube In An Abscess Or Cyst

Alabama rates for HCPCS 49423

An existing drainage tube sitting in an abscess or a cyst is swapped for a new one over a guidewire, with X-ray imaging used to hold the track and confirm the replacement sits correctly. It is done when the tube blocks, cracks or starts to slip out, or when a long-standing drain is due for routine replacement. A working tube is left in place at the end, so this is a swap rather than a removal, and the collection can be anywhere in the body.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Exchange Of A Drain Tube In An Abscess Or Cyst cost?

$1,596

Typical total for the visit. In Alabama, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $1,596 for this procedure. That total is two separate charges: $525 to the doctor who performs it, and $1,072 to the hospital or surgery center where it takes place. Done somewhere without a facility charge, you pay only the first.

These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

What's inside this number

Part of the billTypicalRange
Physician feeThe doctor who performs it$525$110 to $646
Facility feeThe hospital or surgery center$1,072$1,023 to $1,072

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,072 · 10th to 90th $575 to $2,042Professionalmedian $525 · 10th to 90th $74 to $1,072
$100$200$500$1K$2Kfacility $1,072professional $525

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$562.34
Median
$954.99
Typical High
$2,398.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$426.58
Typical High
$1,071.52
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,071.52
Median
$1,071.52
Typical High
$1,071.52
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$426.58
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$776.25
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$549.54
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$1,258.93
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$741.31
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$467.74
Median
$1,000.00
Typical High
$3,162.28
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$58.88
Median
$426.58
Typical High
$741.31
6 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$537.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$213.80
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$794.33
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$162.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$107.15
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
GC · Resident with teaching physician
Typical Low
$69.18
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$69.18

Where Alabama sits

The same service costs 5.6 times more in Colorado than in Montana. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Touch or drag across it to read any state, then open that state for its carriers and full range.

Physician feeFacility fee

Alabama· 30th of 51

$1,596

$525 physician + $1,072 facility

CO $4,728MT $843

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.